The president of the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA), Álvaro Massingue, said yesterday at the public presentation of the CTA Economic Briefing that the national economy recorded a slowdown of 7% in the first quarter of 2026, despite signs of macroeconomic stability.
The situation is directly influenced by a decline in key indicators of business confidence and resilience.
“The Macroeconomic Environment Index fell from 62% in Q4 2025 to 55% in Q1 2026, showing a weakening of overall conditions for economic activity,” said Álvaro Massingue on Thursday (18 June) in Maputo, during the 20th edition of the Economic Briefing.
According to the CTA, the decline represents a drop of 7 percentage points in a context marked by climate shocks, foreign currency shortages, fuel supply pressures and supply chain constraints.
The Business Resilience Index also declined, from 28% to 26%, reflecting increased fragility among companies in the face of operational shocks, particularly the impact of floods that affected the provinces of Gaza and Maputo, causing damage to infrastructure, equipment and stocks.
Despite the slowdown in economic activity, inflation remained relatively stable, while the exchange rate also recorded stability, contributing to some predictability in the business environment.
On investment, the CTA said 66 projects worth around US$560 million were approved, with the potential to create more than 13,000 jobs. In the tourism sector, 44 new ventures were registered, responsible for the creation of around 398 jobs.
Photo: Confederação das Associações Económicas de Moçambique – CTA
The CTA also indicated that around 2,850 companies benefited from technical assistance during the period under review, in a context where constraints persist in access to foreign currency, fuel supply and delays in state payments to the private sector.
On the same occasion, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Basílio Muhate, said that “the data presented show that the national economy continues to have the capacity for resilience, despite internal and external shocks”.
The minister added that industrial production remained stable at around 34.8 billion meticais, while the country recorded a positive balance of US$114 million in the trade balance in the first quarter.
“Despite an international context still marked by uncertainty, the national economy continues to demonstrate its capacity for adaptation and resilience,” said Basílio Muhate, highlighting export performance.
Photo: Ministério da Economia
The minister also noted that inflation rose to 4.4% in April 2026, linked to pressure on fuel prices and international logistical constraints.
He further highlighted ongoing measures to improve the business environment, including the simplification of administrative procedures and strengthened investor services, reaffirming the commitment to structural reforms aimed at sustaining economic growth.
Photo: Confederação das Associações Económicas de Moçambique – CTA
Source: AIM Moçambique